Monday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jul 19, 2010 6:41 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Development Camp leftovers aplenty. [Caps Today (on Dan Dunn), RMNB (on Evgeny Kuznetsov), RMNB (more generally), Hoffman (on Marcus Johansson and Stan Galiev), Rink Rebel (on Andy Miele), KG's District, Caps Snaps (on Johansson), Caps Snaps (on Dmitri Orlov), HockeyPhotography.com (pictures of the FA invitees), OFB]
- "We aren’t done with our work this off season[.]" [Ted's Take]
- The Caps have some depth down the middle in the pipeline for the first time in recent memory. [Peerless]
- It's awards time at HockeyFights.com, and the Caps are up for "Worst Enforcing Team" honors, while Matt Bradley is a contender for "Best Old-School Moment." [HockeyFights.com]
- Not sure I necessarily agree with the conclusions, but here's an interesting look at zone starts (spoiler alert: Mike Green played easy minutes at even strength). [The Puck Stops Here]
- Gabby's charity golf tourney featured a quartet of Caps last year (it also featured two NHL head coaches last year, but that's neither here nor there). [Bruce Boudreau - John Anderson Celebrity Classic]
- What's the worst moment in Caps history? Uplifting question. [Capitals Outsider]
- Alex Ovechkin rocking a Caps lid at a football match. Or a soccer game. Whatevs. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- Chris Bourque heads to Russia. [Patriot-News]
- CapGeek has a gorgeous new cap calculator tool that's worth checking out. [CapGeek.com]
- Finally, happy 37th birthday to Scotty Walker (and good luck in the job search).
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Well yeah, it is football. I mean, how much footballing goes on in American football?
Or when in doubt, Cleese.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
Worst enforcing team in a league where the enforcer is a dying trade. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Then again, the best enforcing team this year might be a mid- to low-pack enforcing team in the heyday of enforcers.
Analogous to “fewest Joffa eggshell helmets on the team.”
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Jul 19, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Re: Ted's "We aren't done" Comment
I got the sense that this was more about changes they were going to be making to the Verizon center, such as adding more seats and/or changing concessions (more ketchup!), than changes to the actual team.
I don’t. When he says “At some point in the future – maybe not this coming season – I believe our center ice will be populated with players we drafted and developed”, that tells me a little birdie has whispered in his ear and told him a veteran center will be added to the roster.
John Madden! I was gonna post that thanks to JP pointing out CapGeeks new calc, it looks like we have enough space to resign Flash, sign MADDEN! and have plenty enough money left over for the season/deadline…
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." - Brooks Laich
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley
Which doesn’t make too much sense. Madden makes too much and is really a third line center, and we have those in spades.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jul 19, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
We do?
Not that I’m all on fire for Madden, but I think the candidates for 3C are just as spotty as for 2C, at least for the upcoming year.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
That’s what happens when I post before I’m awake. I’ll be back.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jul 19, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure about that (re: the Caps having those in spades). Depends on what type of 3rd line you want to run out there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 19, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It certainly would be nice to have a third reliable defensive line (as it stands AO-Backstrom and Gordon-Bradley lines I think are alright, Semin’s line could be depending on his linemates).
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
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by red army line on Jul 19, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Thinking more about it, I more mean the whole at 2C is a bigger pressing need than the 3C hole.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jul 19, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The hole at 2C is bigger, because the importance of 2C is bigger. Given that the same group of people are competing for both spots, there’s no reason to think we are any more or less set for either. Thus, the more important position is the bigger concern.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
What he means that as soon as Eric Belanger figures out he is not getting a 3-4 year deal, he will resign with the Caps for 1 year 1.5 mil and talk about how he is staying here because he wants to win the cup.
plus, he won’t have to go through to hassle of finding a new dentist.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Bouds Golf Tourney
need to update eminger’s team on the web site. should just say, Steve Eminger – Coming soon to a team near you.
interesting that eminger would participate given that it was under Bouds watch that he was benched for most of the season…although i’m guessing if this was the GMGM golf classic, emer would probably take a pass.
and can we imagine how much fun a GMGM golf classic would be? nobody willing to disclose handicaps or scores. GMGM winking every time he’s about to sink a four footer. always wanting to “take the swede” when it comes to picking foursomes…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Gabby’s charity golf tourney will feature a quartet of Caps. [Bruce Boudreau – John Anderson Celebrity Classic]…and a former Cap who was traded after the brochure was made…
The brochure was created a long time ago, as I’m fairly certain John Aanderson is no longer the Thrashers’ head coach.
And Dave Steckel won’t be in Ontario on Monday either, as he and Clarkie are leaving for Kuwait on Sunday.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
just noticed that was a list of players who played last year. if big stecks isnt going to be there then i want my $10K gold sponsorship back.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 19, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep. Reading comprehension fail on my part – I reworked the bullet.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I take full responsibility for dumbing down the general population.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
.
Hey, if they can go with this, Emmy’s team du jour is the least of their worries:
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The new CapGeek calculator is fucking amazing.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
More like useless...
Eric Fehr as a center? Mike Knuble as a left wing?
It’s arranged players by lines, but organized them by their salary, so you have players listed completely and woefully out of position. If that’s the way they’re going to do it, it’s a major waste of time.
Uh… try dragging the player to where you want them playing. Then drag Mackan from the right side and slot him into 2C. Pull A-Gordon down to 4W and you’re on your way. I’m not being swayed with the pretty graphics, this version actually allows you to change the ridiculous default CapGeek lines.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
You could actually do that before, too, but you had to go to a different page (I think it was the beta line editor). The newer version makes it so you can see the lineup and the cap hit AND make line changes all on one page instead of clicking through.
Yeah it’s all right there and you just have to drag it. Much easier to do.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
A great site and they have made many improvements over what was loaded on NHLSCAP back when IB started putting this info. out on the internet for many to see.
A few depth notes: One of these days, I guess I’ll write them, but they have had Hauswirth listed as a D since they loaded his contract; he’s a center/forward. Also, note as of now, they don’t have Fahey and Greentree’s contracts loaded. As one would expect, Fahey is making $500,000 on the NHL side of his two-way contract.
Good catch. I hadn’t gotten that far because I only spent about 5 minutes messing around looking at potential NHL lineups. None of those guys were on my radar so I didn’t notice.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Missed that… but there’s two minor problems with the drag-and-drop:
1. When you drop a player into an occupied spot, it bounces the spot’s current player back to the dropped in player’s original spot. So, fixing the lines is a bit like playing a Chinese puzzle.
2. Unless I missed this too, there’s no way to have a blank space within the lines; the tool simply automatically bumps a player over or back to fill that space. So there’s no way to can arrange the lines in a realistic manner to show where the holes may be.
I dunno…I don’t get the big deal over it. It’s a tool that really doesn’t do anything.
It’s a tool that really doesn’t do anything.
Wrong! Its a rosterbater’s best friend.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You would know. You keep putting in all those forwards who actually score goals, but aren’t on Nashville’s roster.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh; I’m not as obsessed with our lack of premier forwards as most of our fans are. We were actually above league average in 5-on-5 G/G, and just acquired three players who can score. Its not a huge issue. There wasn’t a free agent out there I wanted except Lombardi, and hey, we got him.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you’ll be disappointed once you see Lombardi play for your team. Hope for your sake I’m wrong.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I think that a lot of outsiders may be expecting him to come in and be the top center on the depth chart. Thats not his purpose, and not what I wanted him for. If we evaluate him according to the proper expectations then I think it could end up a great deal. If fans/pundits have him pegged as a 1C, then of course they’ll be disappointed.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even sure he’s a 2C some nights.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I think that’s where he’ll start here, presuming Legwand retains the shutdown role. If he (Lombardi) scores 53 points again and can play on the PK2, then you won’t hear a word of complaint out of me.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
If he stays healthy I think its 45 points.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Fair enough, who’d he play with in PHX?
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Upshall and then after Upshall went down it was Doan. The other wingers got mixed around a bit until after the deadline. Only line that played together all year was the Czech shutdown line.
Tippet didn’t exactly roll lines, but he didn’t really have a true top line either. says a lot about the lack of offense on the team.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Nashville doesn’t have a top line, either (anymore)…so, uh…there’s that.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Lombardi also got the most PP time out of any F on the squad, including Doan.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 19, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s surprising. Pretty sure that won’t happen here.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
That is not a compliment. That PP was a train wreck. I would flip channels when they got one late in the regular season because I couldn’t take it anymore. Lombardi’s decision making on PP drove me bonkers. He wasn’t the only one however.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Not exactly what I wanted to hear, considering he’ll be PP2 here. Anyway, the verdict’s obviously out. I’ve moved on to the Kariya-to-Nashville-the-remix rumors.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
It wasn’t intended as one – he got the most PP time, he should have been the highest scoring forward on the team. 3+ minutes a game on the PP really ought to translate to more than 53 points.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 19, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
No, Joe Corvo’s a tool that really doesn’t do anything.
Capgeek’s calculator is teh awesome.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 19, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
LOL, excellent.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy shit, you’re not kidding.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Two of the three Hart Trophy nominees in Henrik Sedin and Sidney Crosby appear on this list. Alexander Ovechkin does not. The fact Ovechkin has essentially the same offensive numbers as the other two, while playing a slightly more defensive role (he has 66 more offensive zone starts than defensive ones) is another reason that he should have been MVP this season.
That quote would have been useful two days ago…
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
BUT THE ESPYs.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
AND QUALITY OF COMPETITION! Yeah… other coaches didn’t use their best players to counter AO. Sure.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Wait, did he say that?
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah one of the staples of his “Crosby is the undisputed MVP” platform is that Crosby played against tougher competition than either AO or Sedin. I tried explaining that no matter who they played, every team gave those guys their best shot and they were basically playing the same kind of opposition. He isn’t buying it.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I haven’t looked, but I wonder if opposing coaches put their top checking line against Crosby or Malkin.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I would point to the ones who have more success are prolly putting them on Crosby.
More norrissey, less morrissey
by bigonetimer on Jul 19, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
It depends on the team and it’s one of the counters to “AO gets help from Backstrom.” A team like PHI can put Pronger’s pair and Mike Richards’ line against AO and Backstrom. They generally would have to split them against PIT (though with Timonen on the second pair and Carter no defensive slouch in his own right maybe they can just double stack). I don’t know how each team approaches it, it’s going to be an individual strategy thing.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Who’d the Caps use?
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
BB doesn’t aggressively match lines but I think he likes to use Schultz against Malkin because of how the match up works. Schultz is good at neutralizing Malkin’s reach and the way Malkin plays is less likely to exploit Schultz’s weaknesses. He probably wanted Poti against Crosby, but in watching the games there were plenty of counterexamples. Sloan got more than a little taste of Crosby (with mixed results) but I’m sure that wasn’t the gameplan. There wasn’t really any true shutdown unit for the Caps, so matching pairs wasn’t a huge concern with the Caps. I’m pretty sure he just rolled the F lines and didn’t try to get his checking line against Crosby or Malkin. Matching F lines is absolutely not BB’s style.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Well the Snowmageddon game was brutal, but the last game of the year he acquitted himself alright. I’m trying to be diplomatic about it and not pile on TSlo. I don’t like him against Crosby at all, but I think he deserves at least nominal credit for not being abused in the last match up of the season.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Interesting, thanks. I wonder if thats more of necessity because his personnel or just coaching style. The Caps don’t have a checking center, really.
Trotz is the total opposite of BB.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
BB never likes to match F lines because it allows the other team to dictate how you use your best players. He hasn’t been as explicit on his defensive philosophy but it looks pretty clear that he tries to protect the weaker D. Whether he does that by explicit matching or just being careful about situations (O-Zone starts, etc.) is something I’m not sure about.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’ve written about it a couple of times, if you’re really bored -
http://www.japersrink.com/2009/8/31/1005551/re-thinking-what-you-thought-you
http://www.japersrink.com/2009/8/13/985744/the-wheres-and-whos-of-faceoffs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Awesome, thanks. Reading now.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
it’s July and development camp is over. Of course we’re bored.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
"Yeah one of the staples of his "Crosby is the undisputed MVP" platform is that Crosby played against tougher competition than either AO or Sedin"
Oh, really?
Player 1: 16G, 17-11-28, +17 (1.75 pts per game)
Player 2: 24G, 19-25-44, +14 (1.83 pts per game)
Player 1 is Alex Ovechkin; Player 2 is Sidney Crosby… both against Atlantic Division teams this past season.
Think that “better competition” argument for Crosby really holds up? Looks pretty much even to me.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah well the “AO/Backstrom feast on the SouthEast” was another argument. But he meant specifically the players that they faced on the ice. His argument was that Crosby faced the other teams’ best players and AO and Sedin didn’t so they were playing easier minutes while they scored and Crosby was scoring against tougher players.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t see how anyone could say that Ovi didn’t face another team’s best players.
And as far as earning points against the SE, didn’t most of Ovi’s missed games come against the SE? I know he missed a bunch against FL.
Ovie’s point per game production is always highest vs. the Atlantic (it holds true for almost all the elite players in the East actually). Even if Ovie hadn’t missed a few SE division games in 09-10, I’m fairly confident it would not have had a dramatic impact on the PPG production.l
One thing I did notice was that despite all this “The Southeast SUCKS! They’re CUPCAKES! Everyone looks better playing those PANSIES!” was that of the 3 East divisions, Crosby scores the least, by far, against the SE. You can check it out, and lots more, in this post I did.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
If that’s the argument they offered, that Crosby faced the “A Team” of defenders and Ovechkin and Sedin didn’t, that individual should be banned from hockey rinks and sentenced to a season ot WNBA basketball.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
That is the argument. That the three MVP candidates legitimately faced qualitatively different competition. The more specific breakdown is “Sedin played against terrible competition, AO played against OK competition, and Crosby played against the best players on the other team every night.”
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
That’s hilarious. Have they even looked at the point differentials between the Eastern and Western conferences last year? I’m not sure the worst team in the West wouldn’t have made the playoffs in the East last year (I’m talking about talent, not points here)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno, Edmonton was brutal.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Good point. Forgot about them. But there aren’t many others like that in the West. Sedin faced tougher competition because he played against better teams.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
No way CBJ qualifies in the East, either.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I could spin a case for Columbus, but it’s not terribly credible.
I can’t even spin a case for Edmonton.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll give you the teams that finished 1-13 in the West, though. But not Edmonton and Columbus.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
If EDM didn’t have so many injuries…
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
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by red army line on Jul 19, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically either teams don’t line match against VAN or VAN is exceptionally skilled at getting Sedin away from the checkers. Turns out, when Sedin gets away from the checkers, he scores more. Therefore he must have feasted on poor competition.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
It’s even more striking when you realize that Crosby doesn’t have to play against one of the best teams in the Atlantic.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This was over at Pensburgh during the weekend.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
was it done by that same guy who says Nick Backstrom is overrated because he plays in the SE and with Ovechkin?
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
The guy that started the Koivu or Backstrom debate.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
he really seemed to know what he was talking about. Absolute genius.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
The whole division effects thing is completely stupid. The average SE team gave up 250 goals last year and the average ATL team gave up 227, that’s about a 10% difference. If the Pens and Caps switched divisions the Pens would get 8 more games a year against the SE, 10% of the season. 10% more goals for 10% of the season is 1%, or about 1 extra point a year for a guy like Crosby.
I stopped in the Kettler pro shop to pick up a few things for friends and family members who made requests from back home, and I also got a nice Brooks Laich jersey that he signed so I could donate it to my buddy TJ’s golf tournament at the end of the month.
He’s talking about Oshie, right?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
"I actually had to change my stick," he said in flawless English. "I got a bigger blade." The sort of blade he was accustomed to using in Sweden, he added, was too small for the quick tempo scrimmages he played at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex and the "pucks kept jumping over it."
Someone is going to have to explain to him that the ice is only going to make that problem worse if he actually makes the Caps. He may want to think about getting a canoe paddle.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
The past week, he said, has been "pretty difficult," though a good learning experience. "It is a different game. It is smaller ice surface," Johansson said. "It is not as much neutral zone hockey as it is back home. It is more straight to the net and dump and chase than it is back home. So it is a pretty big difference, but it is a fun game."
Dump and chase? Which team was he skating with this week?
Also, I talked to K_C this weekend and apparently one of his friends (big NJD fan) says that both Josefson and Tedenby are expected to make NJD out of camp. That should give them some help up front, especially Tedenby (I think he’ll be able to make a more immediate impact). Then with potentially Mackan, OEL, MPV, and whatever other Swedes manage to crack the NHL this year, it should be a great rookie year for Swedes this season (no shock after the 2009 draft). I fully expect at least one Swede to finish as a Calder finalist.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
On a related note, do NJD ever actually improve? It seems like they stay stagnant over the years while others continue getting better.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Well as I said to K_C, “good thing they have Tedenby and Josefson coming in just in time for them to not pay Parise.” They don’t seem to have improved ever since the Scotts left, but they haven’t fallen off either. Right now you know they have to be “what if”-ing the Kovalchuk trade. Bergfors, Tedenby, Josefson would be a great young group of Fs to bring in together.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
They don’t seem to have improved ever since the Scotts left, but they haven’t fallen off either
Exactly; thats what I meant by stagnant. I’ve never understood the worship of Lamiorello (sp?) to be honest.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Because he built one of the best teams in the league for the decade between lockouts.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Before my time, friend. I’ve been witness to Gomez, Rolston, Elias contracts, etc.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Well Gomez wasn’t NJD, they let him walk because they didn’t want to match the Rags’ offer. Rolston was bad, but I’m not sure how you can knock the Elias one. He’s the franchise leader in basically all offensive categories and was a key piece of 2 SCF teams. He’s probably overpaid at this point, but I don’t know how they could have let him go.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Let’s talk Delly.
I spoke (separately) with a couple of folks whose opinions I respect tremendously about Della Rovere, and they were each of the general opinion that he has peaked as a player – OHL star who isn’t going to be able to find another gear and take it to the next level. This corroborates, to an extent, the way he has been used in very limited time in Hershey (unplayable and stapled to the bench in last year’s playoff appearance(s), etc.).
Needless to say, this coming season would seem to be a big one for his development and future. Can he “get it” at the AHL level? Can his game evolve a bit? Does he have the size and speed to play there?
On a related note, one of those folks thinks that Bruess is about 75% of the on-ice bastard that Delly is, but with more upside as an actual hockey player.
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WHat I saw from both last week is that they will be competent AHL level players. I didn’t see a clear indication that either has what it takes in terms of playing the game within the rules to make the bigger jump. But they certainly are entertaining to watch.
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by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the two guys with whom I spoke aren’t so confident on Delly’s ability to be a competent AHL level player.
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Interesting. Not even AHL? That’s pretty condemning. Do they think his skating is that bad? He was never expected to be a scorer and he isn’t a patently horrible skater.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Had nothing to do with his scoring or really his skating. More to do with his hockey sense, ability to adjust to the speed of the game (positionally, system-wise, etc.) and so on. He was apparently just completely lost on the ice every time he stepped out there in HER. Not sure how a guy who did well for himself at WJCs can’t make the transition to AHL speed and systems, but we shall see, I suppose.
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Yeah that was my thought. He was picked for the WJC specifically to match against other elite players, and he did pretty well. Obviously the skating is a big step above when you turn pro, but if he could skate with the elite guys in the WJC, why can’t he make the same skating improvements everyone else will be expected to make? The guy barely got a look in HER and was coming from a completely different team/system. I guess you could say that he should have already known the system, but not working on it for a full year and then stepping in during the playoffs is a huge task. If you can disclose, were the people you spoke to inside or outside the organization? I’d say this year in HER will be a big one for SDR, but I don’t see how it’s fair to write him off at this point, and I’d be shocked if the organization was writing him off.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t think anyone was necessarily writing him off, but rather likening him to similar guys they’d seen come through the OHL and hit their respective ceilings there. His game stagnated a bit this past year, in their eyes, so there’s less confidence that it’ll improve in a tougher environment than if he’d continued on the upward trajectory he was previously on.
And these were non-org folks.
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I can respect that position. I just think it’s premature. The big thing I’d point out is that his role changed in a big way this year. He wasn’t asked to be an offensive player in Barrie this season, so he didn’t put up the same points or the same game. I’d look at the two WJCs. He was asked to play the same exact role in both, and IMO he did a better job this year. He was still a pest, but he didn’t take as many dumb penalties and was more focused on playing hockey. I thought he did his job well and was an absolute beast on the boards. Also, his ability to adapt his game, or his mindset (phrase it how you want), and cut down the nonsense and just focus on hockey at least indicates that he’s not stupid and he can think about what he needs to do and execute. He’s not out there running around on emotion. If he did the same stupid stuff this year in the WJC I’d be more concerned. I’m still holding out hope.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I think its fair to speculate, especially given what happened late last year. However, I think its too early to start projecting him. I want to see him play in the minors for a year or two first. I’ve always felt he has more skill than similar type of agitators. I think he just needs to learn how to use it more and agitate less. As F&B mentions above, the kid works for the puck. Hard to teach work ethic like that.
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Harder to teach intelligence.
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I know where you are going, but decision making can be taught. I have found its easier to teach than work ethic.
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I agree that it’s easier to teach decision making to someone who already has the work ethic to work his ass off each shift than it is to teach that work ethic to someone that understands it all. It’s like Kovalev, he’s got the skills and hockey sense (when he’s) working, but he hasn’t got the work ethic.
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by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 19, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, but I don’t see where the intelligence knock is coming from. Team Canada told him to calm down, he did. So he was out of position against in a more skilled league after a full year of not practicing the system. Not a big deal to me.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Late in the Colts’ season, Barrie was up 2-0 in a meaningless game. They had their backup goalie in, and then the other team got a goal. Delly immediately went and scored two goals in quick succession just to make the statement that the Colts were not gonna let this team eff with his goaltender.
I really liked that kind of spirit.
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I usually complain strenuously about the slow elevators at Kettler, but I won’t anymore because the long wait times can make for interesting conversations. On Saturday I got to talk to one of the referees. (He was wearing a ECHL Officiating shirt, that’s how I knew.) He said Delly was going to need to find some finesse in his game, and soon.
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That might have been the most enlightening five minutes of the whole day.
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by CapitalCentre on Jul 19, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Maybe we should just ride the ’vators up and down all day at rookie camp.
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We rode with Orlov. He held the door for us too. Such a polite Russian boy!
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Sorry – that should read “Trevor ‘I ♥ Galiev’ Bruess.”
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She was kind of interesting.
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by Whiter Mage on Jul 19, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting take. I am in no position to say whether SDR has peaked, but I am pretty confident he’ll never stop working. I’m not holding the AHL playoffs against him. That was an absolutely stacked team and they already had older, more physically mature guys playing the role he would have. Eakin got in over SDR because he’s faster and they needed a guy to take a more offensive role with A-Gordon injured. SDR is probably going to be a 4th line player for HER this year (I’d love to see him and Bruess centered by Pinner). I’m just not sure how you can say any of these guys have really peaked. There’s a lot of developing left to do and if a guy has the work ethic I could see them improving. Bruess may have more upside, but only because he’s not as far on the development curve.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Couple years in the A for him, you think?
Related, but when Bruess was signed, nice comment/near prediction in that thread by sccf, considering how camp went:
So does Joe Finley beat the hell out of him at training camp next year?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 19, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Definitely at least 2 years in the A. I could see 3 as well. He’s not a guy that is going to get by on explosive skill so he probably won’t be ready immediately. He is going to need to fine tune the little things, and fully physically mature. For his game, if he’s not filled out he’s not going to be able to do his job against NHL players. I don’t think there’s any real rush with him, but he does need to show steady improvement.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
The kid’s 20. I don’t think you can write him off quite yet. He hasn’t even had a season in the AHL or ECHL. Seems premature.
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Reppin' Team Tyler yo.
Regarding your two guys, can you give some general (very general) idea of their qualifications as talent evaluators, without speaking out of turn.
For instance, are they informed amateurs (like us), or are they perhaps more qualified than that?
I specifically want to avoid asking you to violate a confidence here, I should note.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Yeah, I can’t really say much more about them other than that they’ve certainly seen more hockey at lower-than-NHL levels than I have, so they’ve seen their fair share of Della Roveres (that sorta rhymes) through the years.
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Gotcha. We’ll see if SDR stagnates at HER this year.
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so was the evaluation based upon their observations at camp? Or have they been watching SDR for a while now?
I ask because I watched the WJC specifically to watch him, and I came away impressed. At this point he’s still young and plays a role that does not stand out as a “finesse” or “pretty” game. I’ve always assumed he’d be a 4th line wing who can forecheck really hard and make every shift a pain in the ass for the opposing team.
If the opinion is based solely on camp, then I’m not ready to give up on him yet. Heck we still have Erskine and Sloan on our NHL roster after all.
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by can't skate on Jul 19, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s based on watching him since the Caps drafted him.
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oh my
then that is concerning. Could you ask them about Erskine and Sloan?
A danger to myself and others on the ice
If SDR was completely gassed at the end of the year and simply wasn’t himself by the time he got to Hershey, it wouldn’t be the first time a prospect gave a bad impression at the end of the year after playing more games in a season than he ever had before.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Lambert:
The Capitals had a fanfest on the last day of development camp, and 3,000 people showed up. No word on how many left when they realized Alex Ovechkin(notes) wasn’t there.
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No word on how to quantify Lambert’s doucheyness.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey, I laughed.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 19, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
He needs to stick with the rock-farming jokes.
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by Rob Parker on Jul 19, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Really, he should only be allowed out of the basement/bathroom when USA plays Canada.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much. And yet he’s a Flames fan.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Who lives in…Boston.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
How many years does this fanbase have to put in before dicks like him shut the hell up, huh?
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Until they win a Cup. Which I know makes no sense and in fact would objectively lead to more bandwagon fans, but there you go.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s all start giving Vancouver a hard time.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
We don’t already?
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Just read the Nashville blurb – its so uninformed it’s laughable. Take a look at the depth chart, jackass. Lundmark’s an Admiral.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Also related:
Boston Bruins: Oh that whole “the Bruins are in cap trouble” thing you heard so much about? Yeah don’t make a thing about it. Both Tim Thomas(notes) and Marc Savard(notes) will be Bruins on opening night. What kind of IDIOT would think the Bruins were in cap trouble? Don’t be silly.
Of course, the article he links to is by Kevin Paul Dupont, and makes a fairly reasonable argument as to how the Bruins can navigate their cap troubles without trading Savard, and making the point that there’s no way the team will be able to trade Thomas. And Dupont makes a decent argument against the conventional wisdom that the Bruins are screwed with regards to their cap, because hey, Marco Sturm is going to be on LTIR until at least November.
It’s a decent article, and Lambert just dismisses it with a brief reference to the CW.
Good writin’, there.
Unrelated but in the article is his inability to realize how Kovalchuk’s signing changes the market.
Lambert is bad at the game of writing about hockey.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 19, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
In what sense? What player is going to see his asking price go up based on what Kovalchuk signs for? Or down for that matter. The Ovechkin deal seems to have an effect on Kovalchuk only in Kovalchuk’s mind (to extend the notion of high-end contracts influencing one another). This is a weak free agent class in a depressed market (that is also hedging on what the next CBA might look lke). Mikko Koivu’s contracts might have more effect than whatever deal Kovalchuk signs.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure what angle SME was going at, but it does open the market back up at wing. I think the reason you haven’t seen a lot of the wingers sign yet is because teams/players are waiting to see who gets Kovy and what kind of deal he gets. Whoever doesn’t get him, assuming its just a two team race between LA and Jersey, will probably sign one of the remaining FA’s.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
This. And it will also probably open up some players a bit more too because they’ll potentially have more suitors at their door.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 19, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I think teams are waiting more on arbitration results and see who takes a walk.
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by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
That might be part of it as well, however I don’t see a lot being out there after arb hearings, Heck, a ton of guys normally sign before the hearings even take place.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s more likely that teams are waiting for arbitration results to see which teams will need some cap relief and be ripe for trades. There are some potentially interesting hearings scheduled, including another round of “what will Chicago do next” with Niemi’s arbitration pending.
Good point. I didn’t think about it from that angle. I was just thinking straight players.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I think to some extent Alex Frolov, Alex Ponikarovsky, and Lee Stempniak will have their values determined by Kovy’s deal. They all have the ability to pot 25-30 goals, so when a 50 goal scorer is signed it may help set their price. Especially Frolov.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Plus, 28 teams in two conferences are waiting to see if they will have to plan to defend against Kovalchuk 6 times a year or 1, and plan on meeting him early in the playoffs or in the SCF.
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Not sure I buy that. Most teams aren’t going to go make any moves because a rival signed Kovalchuk.
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by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed – each Conference already has Kovalchuk-level (or better) guys in it.
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Related: how the hell do you set a price on Stemniak? It’s well-documented that he scored 14 goals in 18 games for PHX after scoring 14 in the first 62 for TOR and 14 the previous season (and 13 the season before that). Tough guy to price.
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Agreed. There’s no way to know what to expect. If he gets more than a 2 year deal I’ll be very surprised. One year is the most likely.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If he does well this year, that’s a pretty serious indictment of Ron Wilson
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I think for Poni and Frolov, yes. The losers in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes might go after them just because they’re much cheaper thank Kovalchuk, or teams that aren’t willing to sign him for the $$ (i.e. the Islanders) would like a good forward for cheap.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 19, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Can we be a loser? I’d like to get Frolov.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I thought the Caps were looking to deal with their center problems?
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 19, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Sign Fro, trade Semin for a C, everyone gets what they want.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
How about we do that without the “sign Fro” part?
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by J.P. on Jul 19, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
It would depend on the C coming back our way, for me.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Of course. I’m just saying I’d rather not have anything to do with the poor man’s Semin (Froyo).
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Even if he could be had for $3m or so? He’s a good, responsible player that would probably put up like 30 goals over here.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
Nope. I’ve got no reason to believe he’s going to show up when the chips are down, and that’s the kind of player the Caps need now.
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He couldn’t even make Team Russia, and that team was terrible!
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He should have made the team over half the KHL guys. Can’t blame him for the shitty GMing and coaching of that team.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
I know. The exclamation point is the only snark tip you will get from me. That shouldn’t have gotten by you.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’d like to get Frolov.
Talk to some LA fans about that. I could see him being the solution to a problem for the Rangers or Bruins, but he sounds like a terrible fit for the Caps. More of what the Caps already have lots of, and none of what the Caps need.
He’d be like another Fleischmann.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
In all fairness, Frolov’s rep is that he’s enigmatic, but defensively responsible in addition to 25-30 goal talent. Comparing him to Flash is harsh if that’s actually the case – Flash doesn’t play that kind of defense and I’d be amazed to see Tomas put together a 30g year.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 19, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
This. The big knock on Frolov is that “he doesn’t look like he cares” and similar crap. I know this characteristic drives people crazy (Kozlov), but if his salary was reasonable, I’d take him.
Why wouldn't you play Perreault? He's a really talented young player.
It is precisely because he resembles Kozlov in production that I don’t think he’s a fit for this team. Lots of talent, but the regular season gear is the only one he’s got (when he uses it). There is no higher gear. We’ve seen enough of that. It’s a recipe for playoff failure.
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As an LA fan. . .this is pretty much Frolov.
He doesn’t have the amazing raw talent Semin has, but doesn’t completely dissapear like Semin for long periods of time.
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Great minds and all that jazz.
I’d add my latest favorite Russian to that list as well, Maxim Afinogenov.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Do. Not. Want.
I’m very surprised you are on the Afinongenov train. That guy is destined to disappoint fans.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Neither do I on a team I pull for.
I just love watching the guy play…in the offensive zone. He was fun to watch in ATL and for Team Russia this past year.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve called him Crazy Legs since his BUF days. The guy just has so much going on, but you are right that he can be very exciting and he was definitely one of the best Russians at the Olympics (yet another sign your Olympic team failed).
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He’s like Steve Nash. A guilty pleasure. Not someone I want on my team because he won’t play both ways, but fun to watch.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d take Steve Nash over Afinogenov.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
In a soccer or basketball game I would too.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s Canadian so I’m sure he’s better than Afinogenov in hockey too. I bet he doesn’t even need a visor.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If he can’t play D in basketball then he sure can’t play D in hockey.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Tom Poti would probably recommend a visor
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He looks like Dib from Invader Zim.
by DrinkingPartner on Jul 19, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Invader Zim reference, well done.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 19, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d love it Afinogenov signed somewhere out in the west (or KHL). I don’t want him on the Caps but he does seem to produce against the Caps an awful lot (or maybe I am biased by recalling specific goals, but peeking at his splits he’s been pretty good).
You may get your wish. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings take a run at him now that they lost the Kovy sweepstakes.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I’d rather have Afinogenov
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Why?
Even in Frolov’s worst season after the lockout, he put up 50+ points. Frolov has had injuries, but he hasn’t missed more than 15 games in a season as a result of them. Afinogenov, by contrast, has played fewer than 65 games in 6 out of his 10 NHL seasons, and had a couple of 20 point seasons towards the end of his time in Buffalo.
Frolov also occasionally plays defense, from the few times I’ve watched him play.
For the Kings or in general?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
In general.
I can understand not wanting to pay Frolov $5 million (if that’s what he’s asking), but I really, really doubt he gets that in the end (unless someone in the KHL decides to pay him that sort of money). With Afinogenov, you may get a player for half that price, but he’s going to be just as disinterested, and you can never be sure if you’re going to get the point-per-game player or the guy who plays 52 games and nets you 20 points. But you can also be pretty certain you’re not going to get the Afinogenov that plays D.
I’m with you. Whatever flaws apply to Frolov also apply to Max, and Frolov is the better and more versatile player.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
To be clear, so am I as long as money isn’t involved.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I was factoring in money
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 20, 2010 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I think putting Lee Stempniak in that group is pretty friggin’ generous. He caught fire with an absurdly high shooting percentage at the end of the season, but for his whole career he’s been a 15G player, except when he’s shooting 16% on the year, or 29.2(!) for the games after the trade deadline. He’s had a couple of seasons where he shot high percentages with the Blues (14% and 16.3%), but he’s also had years where he’s shot 7% and 8%. If we give him the benefit of the doubt and decide he’s a 12% shooter if we could play an infinite number of seasons, he’s still in the low 20s for goal scoring if he’s getting 160-200 shots, which is higher than his career numbers by a fair bit.
I think you have to price him as a 15-20 guy, rather than a 25-30 guy. Woe betides the team that does the latter.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jul 19, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I believe this is why he hasn’t signed yet. He’s been around long enough that no one is going to buy those PHX numbers as the benchmark. His agent can try all he wants and hope someone like a Sather falls for it, but I highly doubt it.
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by Carl Putnam on Jul 19, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t thinkt here’s anything generous about putting Stempniak with Poni, but that’s because I don’t think all that much of the latter.
Agreed that Stemp is a ~18G guy.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, it looks like Poni shoots more and higher percentage shots, but I haven’t checked the relative PP TOI, but yeah. Neither of them are amazing goal scorers.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 19, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Well if you buy into the Corsi-based “quality of competition” stats then Poni is one of the 20 most difficult players in the league to play against.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Corsi based QualComp is a perfect stat. I guess my nickname for him of My-Little-Poni is misguided.
I'm gonna pain you dearly Woodhouse, when I peel all your skin off with a flensing knife, sew it into Woodhouse pajamas, and then set those pajamas on fire.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jul 19, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Here’s the hysterical part, which I wish I had stuck around to point out. If the Corsi-based Qcomp stat is an accurate reflection of a players’ quality, then by definition AO has to be the highest quality player in the league, so he should win the MVP hands down. So to argue that AO’s Corsi-based rating isn’t a completely integrated evaluation implicitly undermines the value of the Corsi-based Qcomp!
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Guess I underrate him based upon his performance in PIT.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, and my comment was directed as a critique against QComp stats, not you. I agree that he’s not very good. When you are the jewel of the defending champs’ trade deadline and you play your way to the pressbox but the stat-heads have you in the top 20 most difficult opposition… well, something doesn’t smell right.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
…where had vastly better numbers by virtue of playing with the center who makes everyone around him better…
…even the cotton candy vendors!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 19, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
One of the best, if not the best line to come out of a development camp in the last few weeks, was by Tedenby…
“Although they were not teammates in the Swedish Elite League—Tedenby played for league champion HV-71 and Josefson played for runner-up Djurgardens—they would call each other from time to time to check up.
They flew to the U.S. together on Saturday and went into Manhattan Sunday to watch the World Cup soccer final.
"I like him very much," Tedenby said, half joking. "He’s like my brother—a brother from another mother.""
That is a great line. And it’s also my handle when I DJ
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 19, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
most disappointing summer movie conclusion since “The Village”
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Also, no press release? Just an announcement that there’s going to be a press conference tomorrow? Super lame.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
/Bron Bron’d?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 19, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
An announcement of an announcement (that’s not until tomorrow)…after the last two weeks that seems fitting, doesn’t it?
So who do they have to dump now? Certainly Kovalchuk isn’t signing for a 3.5 million cap hit.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
They’re going to have to dump a bunch of salary – Langenbrunner’s probably gone. I’m sure they’ll try to get rid of Zubrus and/or Elias, but both have contracts that are tough to move. And of course if they do that they’ll still need to fill out their forwards.
I just can’t imagine why this is a good idea. I didn’t think Kovalchuk was good for them in the short term, can’t figure out why they’d want him for more than that – especially with Parise due for a raise next summer.
Also…makes that Arnott trade a little more confusing, no? As much as I like the guy, $4.5 million for another aging vet is a huge chunk of change – especially when you had your eyes set on someone like Kovy.